The Birkbeck Access to Digital Learning Fund is available to support undergraduate, postgraduate and research Home and EU students who are unable to pay for the cost of essential IT resources such as a laptop and other key items, to ensure that they can successfully engage with online study.
While we aim to help as many students as possible through this fund, it is limited and will close once funds have been exhausted. We would therefore encourage students to apply as early as possible, if they meet all the requirements. The final deadline for applications is the 24th of May 2024, however the fund may close early.
You must meet ALL of the initial Essential Eligibility criteria listed below, in order to apply for this fund.
Important Note: If you do not meet any these criteria but still feel unable to afford essential IT equipment, we would encourage you to contact the Student Advice team at studentadvice@bbk.ac.uk to enquire about other financial support you may be eligible to apply for.
ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA TO APPLY FOR THIS FUND (answers will be verified against our records & evidence):
1)You must be a fully enrolled student in the 2023/24 Academic Year.
2)Undergraduate and Postgraduate students must be enrolled with a minimum of 30 credits; or enrolled on a Research programme.
3)You must not currently be in debt to the college.
4)You must have a total annual earned household income of £25,000 or less as defined in the criteria below.
* Household earned income is defined as your annual gross income from the tax year ending in 2023. If you live with a spouse or partner (if cohabiting), their annual gross income for the same period should be included. The income limit is raised by £2000 if assessed on a joint income, and by £2000 for the first dependent child, and a further £1000 for each child thereafter.
AND
5)You must meet the criteria for one of the below Categories:
Category A: In receipt of government funded means-tested benefits or living with parents in receipt of these benefits.
Category B: A student with a mental health condition, disability or other long-term health condition who is not eligible for DSA support from the Student Loans Company.
If you are a UK student and have a disability, long-term condition, mental health condition, or Specific Learning Difficulty, you should be eligible for the Disabled Students’ Allowance. It is important you apply for this as it provides a wide range of support, including computer equipment. If you are eligible for the Disabled Students’ Allowance you will not usually receive assistance with the cost of computer equipment from the Access to Digital Learning Fund. You may, however, be eligible for assistance with the cost of broadband and peripherals which can’t be funded from the DSA
Category C: Enrolled on an undergraduate course and hold Non-traditional entry route Qualifications, such as a BTEC or Access qualification.
Category D: Hold refugee or humanitarian protection status.
Category E: A single parent in receipt of child benefit.
Category F: A care leaver.
Category G: In receipt of carer’s allowance.
Category H: An approved Compass Project student.
Category I: Assessed as an EU Student by SFE and not eligible for a Maintenance Loan (your SFE Student Support Number must start with EURS and you must have received an email from Birkbeck advising you that you can apply under this category)
Category J: Any student from Ukraine or Afghanistan who has travelled to the UK on one of the following schemes: The Ukraine Family Scheme, Homes for Ukraine Scheme, Ukraine Extension Scheme, the Afghan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme (ACRS), the Afghanistan Locally Employed Staff Ex-Gratia Redundancy and Resettlement Scheme and the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP).
If you are a student from Ukraine or Afghanistan and have not travelled to the UK on any of the above schemes, but have been impacted by the situation in your home country please contact Student Advice to discuss your options
